Glass Octopus Size report
There are many magical things in nature, including transparent creatures. One of the most mysterious transparent marine life in the world, the glass octopus is a deep-sea octopus that is hard to spot in the dark deep ocean.
The glass octopus (Vitreledonella richardi) is a very rare cephalopod found mainly in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. The species is named for their nearly transparent bodies, from which their optic nerves, eyes, and digestive tract can be directly seen. Unlike the large, round eyes of other deep-sea animals, the eyes of the glass octopus are almost rectangular.
The glass octopus lives in the ocean about 200-4,000 km deep, where sunlight doesn't reach. This species is extremely rare and hard to spot, so little is known about this translucent and glowing cephalopod; However, they are a great example of octopus biodiversity. Every October 8th is World Octopus Day; let us celebrate them today. You will get more interesting facts about glass octopuses in this post.
Glass Octopus Size And Appearance
Glass octopuses are transparent, gelatinous, and elusive in the deep sea. Glass octopuses that live in the dark are nearly invisible, which helps them hide from predators like the megalodon; only their digestive organs and eyes are opaque, which could expose them. The upper three pairs of arms of the glass octopus are nearly equal in length, and the fourth pair is on the abdomen and slightly shorter than the others. Glass octopuses do not have large round eyes like other creatures also live in the deep sea. Their eyes are almost rectangular from the outside but are tubular organs. The eyes are erected upward to collect the faint light that falls into the deep sea. The cylindrical eyes help the octopus camouflage in the open sea where it cannot hide.
Average Size of Glass Octopus
The glass octopus is relatively small, with a bulbous mantel about 9-12 centimeters long that houses the organs. The glass octopus is only 2.2 millimeters when it hatches and can grow 40-45 centimeters long as an adult. Their lifespan, like most octopuses, is only a few short years. They are estimated to live about 2-5 years. They grow fast, mature early, die soon after reproduction, and never see the light of day.
Quick Facts | |
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Scientific name | Vitreledonella richardi |
Habitat | tropical and subtropical waters around the world |
Average Length | 40-45 cm |
Mantel Length | 9-12 cm |
Lifespan | 2-5 years |
Final Words
Octopuses are among the most intelligent and diverse creatures in the ocean. They can remember and recognize humans and are one of the very few animals known to be able to use tools. They live in various places, from tidal shoals to ocean depths. The glass octopus is one of the most enigmatic animals in the world and is also considered one of the least studied cephalopods in the ocean. Each additional sighting, each additional specimen, will help us better understand this elusive species and how they respond to changing oceans.